Romans 16:1 Paul’s Closing Remarks to The Roman Church
"I commend" - Sunisthmi - Pres Act Ind - to place together, to set in the same place, to bring or band together, to stand with (or near), by way of presenting or introducing him, to show, prove, establish, exhibit, unite parts into one whole, present as worthy.
"Phebe our sister" - "radiant") a deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, near Corinth.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matt 12:50
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 1 Tim 5:2
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22
"Which is a servant of the church" - diakonon - one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister, a deacon, one who, by virtue of the office assigned to him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for their use, a waiter, one who serves food and drink. *(Rom 16:1, 3, 12; Phil. 4:2, 3; 1 Tim. 3:11; 1 Tim. 5:9,10; Tit. 2:3, 4). In these passages it is evident that ladies were engaged in various Christian ministrations. Pliny makes mention of them also in his letter to Trajan (A.D. 110).
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. Luke 8:1-3
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 1 Tim 5:9-10
Cenchreae - "the eastern harbour of Corinth, 9 miles east, and the outlet for its trade with the Asiatic shores of the Mediterranean. When Paul returned from his second missionary journey to Syria, he sailed from this port (Acts 18:18). The western harbour of Corinth was Lechaeum, about a mile and a half from the city. It was the channel of its trade with Italy and the west.
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. Acts 18:18
16:2 "that ye receive her in the Lord" - Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. Matt 10:40-41
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matt 25:40
Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. Phil 2:25-30
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) Col 4:10
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels...If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. Philem 1:12,17
"As becometh saints" - suitable, worthy, etc.
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Phil 1:27
"And that ye assist her in whatsoever business..." - pragmati - that which has been done, a deed, an accomplished fact, what is done or being accomplished, spec. business, a commercial transaction, a matter, question, affair, spec. in a forensic sense, a matter at law, case, suit.
"For she is a succourer of many" - prostatiV - word of dignity, high esteem. From the word to describe a citizen of Athens who had the responsibility of seeing to the welfare of travelers and their civil rights.
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. Acts 9:36
16:3 "Priscilla" - The wife of Aquila (Acts 18:2), who is never mentioned without her. Her name sometimes takes the precedence of his (Rom 16:3; 2Ti 4:19). She took part with Aquila (q.v.) in insturcting Apollos (Acts 18:26).
"Aquila" - Eagle, a native of Pontus, by occupation a tent maker, whom Paul met on his first visit to Corinth (Acts 18:2). Along with his wife Priscilla he had fled from Rome in consequence of a decree (A.D. 50) by Claudius commanding all Jews to leave the city. Paul sojourned with him at Corinth, and they wrought together at their common trade, making Cilician hair-cloth for tents. On Paul's departure from Corinth after eighteen months, Aquila and his wife accompanied him to Ephesus, where they remained, while he proceeded to Syria (Acts 18:18, 26). When they became Christians we are not informed, but in Ephesus they were (1Cor. 16:19) We find them afterwards at Rome (Rom 16:3), interesting themselves still in the cause of Christ. They are referred to some years after this as being at Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:19). This is the last notice we have of them.
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:1-3
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. Acts 18:18
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:24-26
"My helpers in Christ Jesus" - Cf. Romans 16:9
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 1 Cor 16:15-16
16:5 "Epaenetus" - 1X in Bible
16:6 One of six Mary’s in the New Testament. Probably a friend of Priscilla.
16:7 "Andronicus"- Jewish Christian, kinsmen
"And Junia" - 1X
"My kinsmen and fellow prisoners" - suggeneiV - kinsman 7, cousin 2, kinsfolk 2 (related by blood or a fellow countryman
"Who are of note among the apostles" - epishmoi - having a mark on their lives, illustrious in nature and testimony
"Who also were in Christ before me." -
16:8 "Amplias"/ abbreviated form of Ampilatus, a family whose burial place was the catacombs. Cemetery of Domitilla where some uncials show the name.
16:10 "Aristobulos"/ possibly the grandson of Herod the Great and the brother of Herod Agrippa. Apparently the slaves in his home were saved.
16:11 "Narcissus" - A Roman whom Paul salutes (Rom 16:11). He is supposed to have been the private secretary of the emperor Claudius. This is, however, quite uncertain.
16:13 "Rufus"/ possibly the son of the Cyrennian who carried the cross of Jesus. Red, the son of Simon the Cyrenian (Mark 15:21), whom the Roman soldiers compelled to carry the cross on which our Lord was crucified. Probably it is the same person who is again mentioned in Rom 16:13 as a disciple at Rome, whose mother also was a Christian held in esteem by the apostle. Mark mentions him along with his brother Alexander as persons well known to his readers (Mark 15:21).
16:14-15 Numeorus 1X mentions, but important
16:16 "kiss" - Of affection (Gen 27:26, 27; Gen 29:13; Luke 7:38, 45); reconciliation (Gen 33:4; 2Sa 14:33); leave©taking (Gen 31:28, 55; Ruth 1:14; 2Sa 19:39); homage (Ps 2:12; 1Sa 10:1); spoken of as between parents and children (Gen 27:26; Gen 31:28, 55; Gen 48:10; Gen 50:1; Ex 18:7; Ruth 1:9, 14); between male relatives (Gen 29:13; Gen 33:4; Gen 45:15). It accompanied social worship as a symbol of brotherly love (Rom 16:16; 1Co 16:20; 2Co 13:12; 1Th 5:26; 1Pe 5:14). The worship of idols was by kissing the image or the hand toward the image (1Ki 19:18; Hos 13:2).
16:17 Avoid those that cause dissension
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Phil 3:17
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thess 3:14-15
16:18 A description of those in 16:17
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Phil 2:21
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. 1 Sam 2:12
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) Phil 3:19
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Tim 6:5
Romans 16:19 "for your obedience" - upakoh - compliance, submission, obedience rendered to anyone's counsels, an obedience shown in observing the requirements of Christianity.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Cor 10:4-5
Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. Philem 1:21
"Is come abroad unto all men" - afiketo - Aor Act Ind
"I am glad therefore on your behalf but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good And simple concerning evil"
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Psalms 101:2
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matt 10:16
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 1 Cor 14:20
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Phil 1:9-11
16:20 "and the God of peace" -
"Shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly" -
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:35-37
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Heb 2:14-15
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 1 John 3:8-10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Rev 12:10-11
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. Rev 20:1-3
"The Lord grace of our Lord Jesus be with you, Amen"
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor 13:14
Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Gal 6:18 (KJV)23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Phil 4:23
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 1 Thess 5:28
The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. 2 Tim 4:22
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Philem 1:25
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Rev 22:21
16:21 Timotheus - convert from Lystra: Phil. 2:19-22 and Acts 16:1-3; 17:14; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4;
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Cor 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, Col 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Phil 1:1
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. Phil 2:19-23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you. Heb 13:23
"workfellow" - sunergoV - fellowhelper, fellowworkers, companion in work, fellow worker
"Lucius" - Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Acts 13:1-2
Jason: may have been Paul’s host on his first visit to Thess.
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. Acts 17:5-9
Sosipater: probably the same as in Acts 20:4 -
16:22 Tertius: native Italian who was a secretary for Paul
Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. Gal 6:11
16:23 tus: unknown
16:2 "Gaius mine host" baptized him in Corinth. May have been the same person as Titus Justus in Acts 18:7. He let the new Corinthian church meet in his house when they were expelled from the synagogue. The Romans used 3 names when referring to a citizen. So his full name would have been Gaius Titus Justus.
Erastus: city treasurer of Corinth
Quartus - Unknown
16:25 "Now to Him that is of power" - dunamenw - Pres Mid Ptc - able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, capable, strong and powerful.
"To stablish you" - sthrizai - Aor Act Inf - make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix, strengthen, make firm, render constant, confirm, one's mind.
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Acts 20:32
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph 3:20-21
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1 Thess 3:13
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved
us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2 Thess
2:16-17
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thess 3:1-3
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:24
"According to my Gospel"
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 2:16
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor 4:3-4
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thess 2:14-15
"And the preaching of Jesus Christ"
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Acts 9:20
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 Cor 1:23
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Cor 2:2
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4:5-6
"According to the revelation of the mystery"
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Cor 2:6-8
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Eph 1:8-9
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Col 1:25-28
"Which was kept secret since the world began" -
The preaching of Christ was not an innovation in the plan of God, it was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. What was a mystery in the Old Testament is now a reality in the New Testament.
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter. Dan 2:22-23
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matt 13:17
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them Luke 10:23-24 Cf. Eph. 3:3-11
16:26 "but now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets"
"According to the commandment of the Everlasting God" -
"Made known to all nations" -
"For the obedience of faith" - Eph. 1:9; Col. 1:26; Isa. 9:6; 53:1-2; Micah 5:2
16:27 He alone deserves glory for this great salvation
Eph. 3:20-21; Jude 25